Plant symbolism

Various folk cultures and traditions assign the symbolic meanings to plants. Although these are no longer commonly understood by populations that are increasingly divorced from their old rural traditions, some survive. In addition, these meanings are alluded to in older pictures, songs and writings. New symbols have also arisen: one of the most known in the United Kingdom is the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance of the fallen in war and some display white poppies, also for remembrance and to show opposition to warfare.

In no way should the following be assumed to a guide to plant usage and none should be taken without medical advice.

Plant Meaning Region or culture
Bamboo longevity, strength, and grace China
Green willow false love Britain
Jasmine love Hinduism
Lily purity, chastity, and innocence Western Europe
Mistletoe used to signify a meeting place where no violence could take place Druids

Flower Meaning
Acacia Secret love
Acanthus Art
Aconite Misanthropy
Agrimony Thankfulness
Aloe Grief
Almond Promise
Amaranth (Globe) Immortal love
Amaryllis Pride
Ambrosia Love is reciprocated
Anemone Forsaken, sickness (negative), anticipation, unfading love
Angrec Royalty
Apple blossom Preference
Arborvitae Everlasting friendship
Arbutus You are the only one I love
Arum Ardor
Asparagus foliage Fascination
Asphodel My regrets follow you to the grave
Aster Symbol of love, daintiness, talisman of love, trusting
Azalea Take care, temperance, fragile, gratitude, passion, Chinese symbols of womanhood
Baby's breath Innocence, purity of heart
Bachelor button Single blessedness, celibacy
Balm Social intercourse or sympathy
Balsam Ardent love
Balsamine Impatience
Bay wreath Glory
Begonia Beware, a fanciful nature
Bellflower Disappointment, loss
Bells of Ireland Luck
Bird's-foot trefoil Revenge
Bird of paradise flower Liberty, magnificence, good perspective, faithfulness (given by a man to a woman)
Box Constancy
Borage Courage
Broom Humility
Bulrush Docility
Bumblebee Orchid Industry
Buttercup Riches
Cabbage Profit
Camellia japonica Unpretending excellence
Campanula Gratitude
Canterbury Bells Gratitude
Carnation general Fascination; distinction; love
red Deep romantic love, passion
green secret symbol of the followers of Oscar Wilde
white Sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love, faithfulness
pink A woman's love, a mother's love
yellow rejection, disdain, disappointment
purple Capriciousness, whimsical, changeable, unreliability
mauve Dreams of fantasy
striped refusal
solid color Yes, affirmative
Celandine Joys to come
Cherry blossom A good education
Transience of life, Wabi-sabi, gentleness, kindness (in Japan)
Feminine beauty (in China)
Chestnut Do me justice
China aster Love of variety, fidelity
Chrysanthemum red I love
yellow Precious one
Coreopsis Always cheerful
Cowslip Winning grace
Clove Undying love
Clover red Industry
white I promise
Columbine the emblem of deceived lovers, ingratitude, faithlessness
Coriander Lust
Crocus Youthful joy, love, abuse not, Lupercalia
Cypress Death, mourning, despair, sorrow.
Daffodil Uncertainty, chivalry, respect or unrequited love, return my affection; new beginnings
Dahlia Elegance and dignity
Daisy general Innocence, loyal love, purity, faith, cheer, simplicity; or, dissembling as in Shakespeare's Hamlet
red Beauty unknown to possessor
Dandelion Coquetry
Delphinium Levity, fun, big-hearted, ardent attachment, joy
Eglantine rose A wound to heal
Elderflower Compassion
Fennel Strength or, as in Shakespeare's Hamlet, flattery and deceit
Forget-me-not True love
Fungus Resilience, loneliness, solitude, disgust
Gardenia secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck
Geranium Gentility, determination
Gladiolus Strength of character, honor, conviction
Gorse Love in all seasons
Grass Submission
Heather purple Solitude, beauty, admiration
white Protection
Heliotrope Devotion
Hibiscus Rare and delicate beauty
Hollyhock Ambition
Honeysuckle Devoted affection, bonds of love
Houseleek Domestic economy

Flower Meaning
Hydrangea Frigidness, heartlessness (negative), heartfelt gratitude for being understood
Iris Good news
Ivy Dependence, endurance, faithfulness
Jasmine Unconditional and eternal love (in the Philippines)
Jonquil Return my affection
Laurel Ambition, success, renown
Laurestine A token
Lavender Devotion, distrust
Lemon blossom Discretion
Lilac purple First emotion of love
white Youthful innocence, memories
Lily white Purity
scarlet High-souled aspirations
orange Desire, passion, hatred (negative)
Lily of the valley Sweetness, humility, returning happiness, Trust
Lime blossom Fornication
Lobelia Malevolence
Lotus Purity, chastity and eloquence; rebirth
Love lies bleeding Hopelessness
Magnolia Love of nature
Mallow Consumed by love
Marigold Pain and grief
Mayflower Welcome
Mignonette Worth
Mint Suspicion
Moonflower Dreaming of love
Morning glory Love in vain
Mullein Good-nature
Narcissus Unrequited love, selfishness
Nasturtium Patriotism
Oak leaf Strength
Oats Music
Olive Peace
Orchid Refined beauty
Oxeye daisy Patience
Pansy Thoughts (according to Ophelia of Hamlet) Sometimes referring to "lover's thoughts"
Peach blossom Long-life, generosity, and bridal hope
Pear blossom Lasting friendship
Peony Shame, bashfulness
Prosperity, honor (in China)
Masculinity, bravery (in Japan)
Phlox Harmony
Pitch pine blossom Philosophy
Plum blossom Beauty and longevity
Plumeria Perfection, springtime, new beginnings
Primrose Eternal love
Protea Courage
Poppy general Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination
red Pleasure
white Consolation, dreams, modern, peace
yellow Wealth, success
Rainflower I love you back, I must atone for my sins, I will never forget you
Rose red True love
blue Mystery, attaining the impossible, love at first sight
white silence or innocence, wistfulness, virtue, purity, secrecy, reverence and humility
dried white rose sorrow
black Death, hatred, farewell, rejuvenation or rebirth
yellow Friendship, jealousy, infidelity, apology, a broken heart, intense emotion, undying love, extreme betrayal
pink Grace
dark pink Gratitude
light pink Desire, passion, joy of life, youth, energy
burgundy Unconscious beauty
coral or orange Desire, passion
lavender (violet) Love at first sight
red and white together United
red and yellow together Joy, happiness and excitement
thornless Love at first sight
Rosemary Remembrance
Rue Regret, sorrow, repentance
Sensitive plant Sensitivity
Snowdrop Consolation or hope
Star of Bethlehem Atonement, reconciliation
Straw United
Sunflower Pure and lofty thoughts
Sweetbrier Simplicity
Sweetpea Gratitiude
Thorn-apple Disguise
Thistle Nobility
Thyme Thriftiness
Tulip-tree Fame
Tulip red Undying love
purple Forever love
white One-sided love
yellow Hopeless love
Violet blue Faithfulness
purple Daydreaming
white Modesty
Viscaria (Lychnis viscaria) Invitation to dance
Willow (creeping) Love forsaken
Winged seeds (any kind) Messengers
Wisteria Welcoming
Witch-hazel A magic spell
Wheat Wealth and prosperity
Wormwood Absence, bitter sorrow


See also


References